About the IAS:
IAS – the International AIDS Society - leads collective action on every front of the global HIV response through its membership base, scientific authority and convening power. Founded in 1988, the IAS is the world’s largest association of HIV professionals, with members in more than 170 countries. Working with its members, the IAS advocates and drives urgent action to reduce the impact of HIV. The IAS is also the steward of the world’s most prestigious HIV conferences: the International AIDS Conference, the IAS Conference on HIV Science, and the HIV Research for Prevention Conference. These conferences have established a gold-standard meeting that convenes the world’s top scientists, civil society members and policymakers to jointly discuss the fight against HIV.
More information on IAS can be found at www.iasociety.org.
More information on IAS Conferences can be found at www.iasociety.org/Conferences
Details of Employment:
The Project Manager, Congress and Exhibition will be based in Geneva, Switzerland and report to the Senior Manager, Congress and Exhibition. The position is open-ended and full-time to start as soon as possible.
Purpose of the Position:
The Project Manager will be responsible for managing conference logistics and technical projects. The incumbent will be responsible for keeping track of costs and making relevant recommendations to the Senior Manager, Congress and Exhibition.
Main Responsibilities:
- Audio visual (AV) for the International AIDS Conference, the IAS Conference on HIV Science and the HIV Research for Prevention Conference - Managing the AV project, including supplier selection processes, negotiating and contracting, specifications, AV concepts and floorplans, onsite management.
- Satellites for the International AIDS Conference, the IAS Conference on HIV Science and the HIV Research for Prevention Conference – Coordinate the additional AV requirements for satellites and assist with satellites onsite.
- Pre-conferences for the International AIDS Conference – Assisting with the pre-conference application process, developing documentation, marketing and communication materials, ensuring that the pre-conference session outlines and descriptions are properly entered and displayed in the various systems, coordinating the pre-conference organisers room requirements and other services like room and stage layout, build-up, AV, signage, registration, accommodation, hostesses, transport, security, printing, catering, interpretation, medical services and accessibility, coordinating the pre-conferences requirements for the virtual component including virtual green room assistance, being the focal point for pre-conference organisers, onsite and virtual coordination.
- Venue Management for the HIV Research for Prevention Conference – Overall venue management, including allocation of space, floorplans and approval processes, build up and signage, including supplier selection processes, negotiating and contracting, specifications, concepts and overall planning, catering, medial services, cleaning and waste, accessibility, operational timeline, cost forecasts and updates, focal point for the venue and the suppliers, onsite management.
Perform any additional tasks requested by the Senior Manager, Congress and Exhibition.
Academic Qualifications:
- A degree in business, events or hospitality management, or a related field is favourable. A project management certification would be an asset.
Work Experience:
- At least 5 years’ experience in working with conferences, seminars, workshops, meetings, or other events
- Project management experience
- AV experience
- Experience with in-person, virtual and hybrid conferences, meetings or events
- Experience working for international organizations or abroad.
Skills/Competencies:
- Advanced project management skills
- Technical savvy and understanding of AV requirements
- High attention to detail
- Ability to work independently and handle many tasks simultaneously
- Be highly organized and systematic
- Ability to work efficiently under pressure, meet deadlines and occasionally work overtime
- Strong communication, cross-cultural and customer service skills
- Open-minded and a strong team player
- Thorough computer skills in the Microsoft environment (Windows, Excel, Word, Power Point, Outlook).
Languages:
- Fluent in English, knowledge of other languages is an asset.
How to apply:
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV and a cover letter, in English and by email only, on a rolling basis. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Only candidates from Switzerland, from an EU/EFTA country or candidates already having a valid Swiss working permit to work full-time will be considered. Candidates shall mention on their CV their work authorization in Switzerland.
IAS employees are evidence-based, human rights-focused, inclusive and accountable partners in the HIV response. Candidates should display genuine commitment to IAS values (learn more here).
The IAS is committed to recruiting and sustaining a skilled, effective, diverse and gender-balanced secretariat, and to the greater involvement of people living with HIV (GIPA) in all aspects of its work. People living with HIV are strongly encouraged to apply.